Amusement device



March l, y1 938 A. DAHLSTROM rr A1.l v 2,109,860

AMUSEMENT 'DEVICE Filed Nov. 7, 1954 5 sheetsQ-sheet 1 March l, 1938. A. DAHLsTRoM ETA. 2,109,860

I AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Nov. 7, 1934 5 sheets-sheet 2 M o w W ,7 A 0W l e fw/ IW 8,

Nhnrh 1,1938Q A.DAHLsTRoM ErAL AMUSEMENT DEVICE 5 sheets-sheet 5' Filed Nov. 7, 1934 March 1, 193s. A DAHLSTROM ET AL 2,109,860

AMUSEMENT DEVICE :fil-ed Nov. '7, 19:54 1 5 sheets-sheet 4 March l, 1938. A. DAHLsTRoM ET Al.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed NOV. 7, 1934 Patented Mar. 1, 1938 i UNITED STATES AMUSEMENT DEVICE Arvid Dahlstrom and Peter N. Nelson, Chicago, Ill., assgnors, by mesne assignments, to Albert J. Tarrson, Edward A. Cohan, and Jan'ies E. Johnson, all of Chicago, Ill.

Application November 7, 1934, Serial No. 751,832

16 Claims.

This invention relates to an amusement device and more particularly to a coin controlled target game in which suitable space charges, preferably balls or the like, may be projected from a pistol or other propelling means directed at an intermittently exposed target.

` The embodiment herein illustrated. and described comprises a coin controlled mechanism includinga repeating pistol and an automatically operable target-mechanism. The target mechanism comprises a fixed target capable of electrically setting up a score on a scoring device each time the target is hit by a projectile. The target is intermittently 'exposed by means of a moving disk positioned in front of the target and having holes therethrough which are consecutively moved past the target, thus requiring considerable skill on the part of the player in operating the pistol in synchronism with the exposure of the target.

y'In the present embodiment the balls or projectiles, after being shot, roll back down an inclined plane and are automatically received by the pistol, and the pistol may be repeatedly red only during a predetermined time interval which vinterval is determined by a. suitable coin controlled mechanism. At the expiration of the predetermined time period, the target and' scoring mechanism, ,as well ,as the pistol, become ineffect'ive for further operation until another coin has been inserted.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a coin controlled target game in which an .Y

automatically reloading pistol may be continually fired as long as the mechanism is in operation, or, in other words, during a predetermined time period limited bythe operation of the coin controlled mechanism.

A further object is the provision of a target mechanism, particularly in combination with a projectile propelling device, in which the target is intermittently exposed and in which the striking of the target will automatically set up a corresponding score.

A further object is the provision of a coin controlled target game having a pistol or projector and in which the projectiles are automatically returned from the target in a/ manner to automatically reload the pistol, and in which the pistol is ineffective for further operation after a predetermined time period and until the insertion of another coin.

A desirable featureis the construction of the device in widely separated units or sub-assemblies which are electrically connected for mutual cooperation, and in which each unit may be readily removed without disturbing another by merelyseparating the electrical connections.

Further objects will be apparent from the specication and the appended claims.

In the drawings: I

Figure 1 is a perspective view of' the entire assembled device, aportion of the casing being broken away for purposes of illustration.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the pistol with the chute for returning the balls to the pistol illustrated in longitudinal section.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section through the reloading portion of the pistol and chute, and taken on a line substantially corresponding to line 3-3 of Fig. 2. i

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section through the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, and taken on a linesubstantially corresponding tovline 4--4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on a line substantially corresponding to line 5 5 of Fig. 4

and illustrates the coin receiving and pistol control mechanism, all of which are mounted on the front plate of the device.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section through the coin receiving slot and associated mechanism, and taken on a line substantially corresponding to line 6--6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. l is a vertical section through the motor switch control, and taken on a line 'substantially corresponding Yto line 1-1 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken on a line substantially corresponding to line 8-8 of Fig. 4, and is a back view of the motor and target control mechanism and the score mechanism associated-y therewith.

Fig. 9 is a top view of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a detail back view, partially in section, of the motor transmission to the target cover and the time control wheel forming a part of the transmission.

Fig. 11 is ya bottom view of the-mechanism i1- lustrated in Fig. 10 including the switch control mechanism associated therewith.

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view of the wiring and switches and a portion of the associated mechanism.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the embodiment illustrated comprisesl a casing l having a coin'receiving mechanism and a projectile propelling device at the front end of thecasing, and a. target mechanism and scoring device at the opposite end. I hese units are not mechanically connected but are electrically associated for mutual cooperation.

The unit or sub-assembly at the front of the structure comprises a plate 2 mounted on the front wall of the casing as illustrated in Figs. l, 4 and 5 and includes a pistol 3 which is pivotally mounted on theplate at 4 and extends therethrough. In the present embodiment, the pistol is mounted for slight vertical oscillation only. The plate 2 is provided with a window 5 through which'the target may be observed and is also provided with a coin slot 6 and an elongated coin window 1. Referring particularly to Fig. 4, the pistol 3 preferably comprises a longitudinally split casing, the two halves of which may be secured together in any suitable manner, the entire pistol being pivoted at 4.

The pistol is provided with an angular barrel or bore 8 which terminates in an arcuate portion 9 for the purpose of directing the projectile into alignment with the upper surface of the pistol. The pistol is provided with a side opening I0 arranged to receive consecutive projectiles from a chute II secured to the front plate 2 and which projects forwardly as illustrated in Fig. 2 and in a position to receive the projectiles I2 as they return by gravity down the incline plate I3, which latter extends forwardly from the target. This plate is provided with a hole I4 located over the forward end of the chute I I. The plate I3 is so formed that a ball placed anywhere thereon will roll through the hole. By this means, the balls I2 will roll out of the incline plate I3 and through the chute I l and will be automatically received into the barrel of the pistol through'the side opening I0, whereby they may be red therefrom as rapidly as the user operates the trigger.

The pistol is provided with a spring pressed plunger I5 in alignment with the straight portion of the barrel 8 and slidably mounted in lugs I6 and II. The plunger is normally retained in the forward position illustrated by means of a compression spring I8. A trigger I9 is pivoted at 20 and normally urged to the forward position shown by means of a springZI. A pawl 22 is pivoted at 23 on the trigger I9 and moves therewith during each operation of the trigger.

The plunger I5 is provided with a flange 24 which, during the operation of the machine after the coin has been inserted, may be engaged by a pawl tooth 25 on the pawl 22 when the trigger is pulled rearwardly. Normally, however, the pawl 22 is retained in the raised position shown by means of a bell crank lever 26 pivoted at 21 and having a rearwardly extending arm 28 engaged under a pin 29 on the pawl 22, thereby retaining the pawl 22 in the raised position, and in which position the trigger may be operated but will be ineffective to operate the plunger I5 as the pawl 22 cannot engage the plunger. After a coin has been inserted, the bell crank lever 26 will be moved by mechanism which will be described later, to allow the pawl 22 to be lowered to a position where the tooth 25 may engage the ange 24 and move the plunger rearwardly. During this rearward movement of the plunger I5, one of the balls I2 will roll into the barrel 8 in front of the plunger and a further rearward movement of the trigger will cause the cam-like end of the pawl 22 to engage the pin 30 and raise the pawl, thereby releasing the plunger, and the ball I2 will be projected from the barrel 8 toward the target.

The'machine is ordinarily so constructed that when a. coin is inserted, the mechanism may then be operated to make the pistol effective to repeatedly project balls or other suitable space charges therefrom as long as a motor driven mechanism cooperating with the target is in operation. In ordinary practice, the target mechanism is arranged to be in operation for a time period of thirty seconds with each insertion of a coin and the operator may shoot as many balls as possible during that time period.

The coin receiving mechanism is more clearly illustrated in Figs. 5 to 7 inclusive, and comprises a coin chute 3| positioned directly behind the coin window 'I and, in the present instance, is arranged to retain four coins therein as illustrated in Fig. 5. The coin receiving slot 6 cornmunicates with this coin chute and a coin escapement device is mounted directly back of the coin chute and adjacent the coin slot and comprises a rock-shaft 32 having an escapement member 33 secured thereto. This escapement member is provided with forwardly extending arms 34 and 35 and is normally retained in the position shown in Fig. 6 by means of a spring 36.

The shaft 32 is provided with a downwardly extending arm 3l, and a plunger 38 is slidably mounted in the plate 2 in a position to be manlially manipulated after the coin has been inserted in the machine. A spring 39 is mounted adjacent the` coin chute and provided with an inwardly extending portion 40 which extends into the path of the coins in the chute and normally retains four coins in the position illustrated in Fig. 5. An escapement pawl 4I is pivoted at-42 and provided with an inwardly extending pin 43 which also extends into the path of the coins in the chute 3|. The escapement pawl' 4I is normally retained in position by means of a spring 4Ia. The coin controlled mechanism is shown in normal position; that is, when the device is not in operation. The escapement pawl 4I normally holds the vertical slide 44 downwardly against the tension of a spring 45 and in the position shown, by means of its engagement in the notch 46.

When it is desired to operate the machine, a coin may be inserted in the coin slot 6 and it will drop to a position where it will rest on the inwardly extending arms 34 of the coin escapement member 33. The plunger 38 may then be .pushed inwardly, thereby oscillating the escapement member and the coin will be released from the arm .34 and the entire row of coins in the chute 3l will be pushed downwardly by means of the arm 35. During the downward movement of the coins, the lowest coin in the chute will force the spring 39 outwardly and will drop into a suitable receptacle below. The next coin, by reason of its engagement with the pin 43 of the escapement pawl 4l. will move the pawl to release the vertical slide 44 which will then be raised to the dotted position shown by means of a spring 45.

l A rockshaft 41 is mounted in suitable bearings 48 and provided with an arm 49 engaging in a hole in the vertical slide 44. The rockshaft is provided with a link 50 which is connected to the downwardly extending arm of the trigger controlling bell crank 26, previously described, so that as soon as the vertical slide 44 is released the rockshaft will be operated to cause the pawl 22 on the trigger I9 to be released to a position to engage the flange 24 on the plunger I5 when the trigger is operated, whereby the pistol may be repeatedly operated until the slide 44 is re- Y, disk 63 is preferably of a suitable insulating maturned to its normal position by means which will be described later.

The rockshaft 41 is also provided with an upwardly extending ange or arm I which is preferably of insulating material and is closely adjacent a main 'Y switch for controlling the operation of the motor and which comprises spring contact members 52', as illustrated in Fig. '1, so

that when the rockshait is oscillated by upward movement of the slide 44, the motor switch Will be closed and the motor will start simultaneously with the releasing of the trigger mechanismwhereby the pistol may be operated as long as the motor continues to run. In order to make the pistol ineffective after a predetermined time period, a solenoid 53 is provided with a pivoted arms54 connected to the vertical slide M'by means of a pin and s lot connection as illustrated, and when the solenoid 53 is energized at the termination of a predetermined time period, `the slide 44 will again be pulled downwardly and retained by thepawl 4I andthe entire machine will become ineffective until another coin is inserted.

lIhe target mechanism is particularly illustrated in Figs. 4 and 8 and comprises a target mechanism and a score mechanism assembled in a single unit consisting of a vertical plate 55 having suitable brackets thereon for supporting the mechanism and also having forwardly extending bars I3a for supporting the inclined oor plate I3. This entire assembly, including the floor I3, may be removed by sliding it rearwardly on the bars or supports 56 which are secured to the sides of the casing and which slidably support the entire unit. The back 51 of the casing is removable whereby the entire target and score assembly, including the inclined floor plate I3, may be removed from the casing as a unit by merely sliding the assembly rearwardly on the slides or guides 56. The only connection between the target mechanism and the coin controlled mechanism at the front of the machine is a set of electric wires interconnecting various electrically controlled devices andthese wires may be provided with a suitable connector, not shown, whereby they may be disconnected when it is desired to remove the target unit.

The target mechanism comprises a disk-like target or bulls-eye 58 mounted at the back of a suitable opening 59 in the plate 55. The target is mounted on a plunger portion 60 which is slidably supported in a bracket `6I and insulated therefrom. Spring contacts 62 are mounted at the rear of the plunger 60 and in a position to beclosed when the target 58 is struck by one of the projectiles. These contacts are for the purpose of controlling the' operation of ya scoring;M

mechanism which will be described later.

A rotatable disk 63 is secured to a shaft 64 and is positioned between the plate 55 and the target 58. This rotatable disk is preferably transparent or translucent and is provided with a plurality of holes 64' substantially corresponding in size to the target 58 and movable into alignment therewith, whereby during the rotation of the disk 63 the target 58 will be intermittently exposed. The

terial in common use, similar in appearance to celluloid but having somewhat different characteristics, whereby it is not injured by the impact of the projectiles and is not easily dented or other- Wise marred as is the case if metal is used in such a position. The iront of `the plate 55 is also covered with a sheet 65 of the same material. A motor 66 is mounted at the rear of the plate 55 and provided with a speed 'reduction transmission for driving the disk 63. This'transmission comprises a worm 61 on the motor shaft (Fig. 8) in mesh with a. worm wheel 68 on a vertical shaft 69. The shaft 69 is also provided with a worm in mesh with a worm wheel 1I on a shaft 12. A so-called time gear 13 is secured to the shaft 12 and is in mesh with a pinion 14 on the disk shaft 64. This transmission is arranged so that during the operation o f the mechanism, the time gear 13 preferably rotates'once in a time period of thirty seconds. In the Yembodiment illustrated, the ratio of the time gear to the disk pinion 14 is five to one; therefore, the disk 63 will be rotated five times in thirtyseconds and, as the disk 63,

symmetricallypositioned target openings, an accurate marksman has the possibility of hitting the target twenty times during the operation of the machine by the insertion of a single coin.

It will be apparent from the previous description that as soon as a coin has been inserted in the coin slot and the slide 38 has been pushed inwardly by the operator, the pistol will immediv ately be in a condition for repeated operation and simultaneously the motor contacts 52 will be closed and the motor will operate to rotate the time gear one revolution and the disk 63 will be operated accordingly.

In order to stop the entire machine and make the device ineiective after a single revolution of the time gear 13, a cam pin 15 is secured to the l mounted on an arm 11 pivoted at 18 and normally retained in the position illustrated in Fig. 11 by means of a spring 19. This switch operating member 16 is arranged to close two switches 83 and 8l (Fig. 8) in the manner illustrated in Fig. 11.

The operation of the electrical system, including the switches 80 and 8|, is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 12 in which it will be apparent that when the switch 80 is closed the solenoid 53 at the front of the machine will be immediately operated to pull the vertical slide M downwardly to simultaneously open the switchl 52 of the motor circuit. However, in order to allow the continued operation of the motor so that the time gear 13 may continue to move sufciently to release the 'switch operating member 16 from the cam pin. 15, the switch 8|, which short circuits the main motor switch, will remain closed until the gear 13 has moved suiliciently to allow the release of the switch operating member 16 from the pin 15 when both of the switches 8l! and 8l will be simultaneously opened and the motor will be stopped until another coin has been inserted in the device.

As previously described, the target switch contacts 62 are arranged to be closed by rearward movement of the target when it is struck by the projectiles. The closing of this lswitch is ar- Aranged to energize a solenoid 82 which is arlrow by reason of spring pressurethereon, and

an escapement pawl 86 is pivoted at 81 and connected to a movable arm 88 on the solenoid 82 by means of a link 89. It will therefore be apparent that each time the solenoid 82 is energized by reason of the projectile striking the target 58, the escapement dog 86 will operate to release the scoring wheel and consecutive scores may thereby be set up by consecutively striking the target. The score wheel is moved by means of a pinion 98 secured to the shaft 84 and in engagement with a slidable rack 9| (Fig. 8) which is normally retained in the position shown against the tension of a spring 9-2 so that each time the wheel 83 is released by the solenoid operated escapement 82, the spring 92 will cause a partial rotation of the score wheel by reason of the spring pressed rack and pinion connection.

It is desirable to reset the score wheel 83 simultaneously with or immediately prior to the stopping of the time wheel 13. For this purpose a bell crank lever 93 (Fig. 8) is pivoted at 94 and provided with an upwardly extending arm 95 engaging the end of the rack 9|. An inwardly extending arm 96 of this bell crank is positioned to be vengaged by a pin 91" on the time gear 13. Therefore, with the insertion of each coin in the device, the time gear 13 will make one revolution and will then reset the score wheel 83 to zero by pushing the rack 9| laterally by means of the bell crank 93 and will also operate the switches and 8|, whereby all of the mechanism is returned to a normal position for a succeeding operation of the device. A resistance 98 may be included in the motor circuit to provide the desired electrical characteristics, and a fan 99 is secured on the motor shaft for cooling the resistance. A current distributing board |08 may be mounted on the motor supporting bracket and suitable connectors may be secured thereto.

The electrical operation of the device may be easily traced in Fig. 12 in which the electrical arrangement is illustrated in a simplified Wiring diagram.

The operation is as follows: When a coin is inserted in the coin slot and the plunger 38 pushed inwardly, the coin escapement pawl 4| will release the slide 44 which will rise and operate the rockshaft 41 to close the motor switch 52. The operation of the motor will then cause the time gear 13 to make one complete revolution. The pistol trigger pawl willl simultaneously be released and the pistol may be operated as many times as possible during the predetermined time limited by the rotation of the time wheel. The closing of the switch 62, when the target 58 is hit, will cause the solenoid 82 to be energized, thereby releasing the score wheel 83 and successive operation of the target 58 will cause corresponding successive operation of the scone wheel 83 to display a correspondingly increasing score.

A complete revolution of the time gear 13 will cause the 'cam pin 15 thereon to engage the switch operating block 16 and close the switches 80 and 8|. The switch 80 will energize the solenoid 53 and thereby reset the coin controlled mechanism and open the motor switch 52. How-l ever, -the switch 8| is closed simultaneously with the switch 80 and short circuits the motor switch whereby the motorwill remain in operation until the wheel has completed its revolution and the switch operating block 16 is released from the pin 15, whereupon. the switches 88 and 8| will again be opened and the entire circuit and the mechanism asso'ciated therewith"'will again be in normal position ready to be again operated upon the insertion of another coin.

Wherever the word pistol is used herein it is intended to mean any suitable means for propelling a space charge capable of affecting a 5 target. A

Modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and it is desired, therefore, that the invention be limited only by the prior art and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a coin controlled amusement device, a target, a normally inoperative pistol for shooting projectiles at said target, a rotatable shield between said pistol and said target and having radially disposed holes therethrough to intermittently expose said target, means to automatically return projectiles from said target to said pistol, and coin controlled mechanism to make said pistol operative for repeated operation and to simultaneously rotate said shield for a predetermined time period.

2. In .an amusement device having a normally ineiective propelling device for balls, a target above the level of said propelling device, an inclined surface for returning the balls into propelling relation with said device, and coin controlled mechanism for making said propelling device continuously effective for manual control to repeatedly propel balls over a predetermined limited time period, automatic means for limiting said time period, and means intermittently blocking the path of said projectiles during said time 35 period.

3. A target game comprising a target, a ball propelling pistol having a spring pressed provpelling means, a trigger for operating said propelling means, means normally preventing the trigger operation of said propelling means, an inclined surface positioned to automatically return the balls to propelling position, coin controlled mechanism for making said preventing means ineffective to prevent repeated trigger operation of said propelling means for a predetermined limited time period, and means for automatically resetting said coin controlled mechanism to limit the time period of said repeated operation.

4. In an electrically operated coin controlled target game, a normally ineiective projectile propeller, a fixed target, movable means to intermittently expose said target, an electrical circuit including a motor for operating said movable means, a switch for starting said motor, an auxiliary motor switch, coin controlled means' for closing said rst motor switch and enabling effective operation of said propeller, means for resetting said coin controlled means and simultaneously opening said rst motor switch and closing said auxiliary motor switch, and means whereby continued operation of said motor is effective to quickly reopen said auxiliary motor switch.

5. In a coin controlled amusement device of the character described, a target, a pistol for shooting projectiles at said target, means for intermittently moving a barrier in the path of said projectiles, a motor for operating said means, coin controlled means for controlling all of said elements, a transmission between said motor and said barrier, means movable by said transmission, and electrical means controlled by said movable 75 aioaaoo means to. limit the 'coin controlled operating time of said device.

6. In a coin controlled amusement device of the character described, a target, a pistol for shooting projectiles at said target, a cumulative score indicating means, means for intermittently moving a barrier in the path of said projectiles, a. motor for operating said means, coin controlled means for controlling all of said elements, a transmission between said motor and said barrier, means movable by said transmission, means controlled by said movable means to reset said score indicating means, and electrical means controlled by said movable means to limit the coin controlled operating time of said device.

'1. In an amusement device of vthe character described, the combination with a normally inoperative pistol constructed and arranged to direct a space charge an indeterminate number of times to affect a target in accordance with the skill oi' the operator during a predetermined limited time interval, ofcoin controlled means t make said pistol operative, means for hunting the time of pistol operation, an intermittently exposed target, and automatic means controlled by jectile, an angular barrel or bore extending rear-'- wardly and downwardly from thef line of flight and terminating in a lateral opening to receive projectiles, means for applying propelling force in alignment with said angular bore, and a trigger for operating said propelling means.

9. An amusement device comprising a target, a pistol for propelling balls toward said target,

. said pistol having a frame with a. normal sighting line parallel with the line of iiight of aprojectile, an angular barrel or bore extending rearwardly and downwardly from the line of night' and terminating in a lateral opening to receive projectiles, means for applying propelling force in alignment with said angular bore, a. trigger for operating said propelling means, and an inclined surface to return balls from said target into the minating in a lateral opening to receive projectiles, means for applying propelling force in alignment with said angular bore, a trigger normally ineffective to operate said propelling means, and coin controlled mechanism for making said trigger effective.

11. An 4amusement device comprising a target'.

a pistol having a bore for directing projectiles in a predetermined line of'ight toward said target, said bore having a portion .extending Vangularly downward from said liner of night,

means constructed and arranged to provide an inclined path from -said target to cause the pro- 4 jectiles iired at said target-to automatically return to ring position in said bore, a projectile propelling means, a trigger normally ineffective to operate said propelling means, and a coin controlled means for making said trigger eil'ective to operate said propelling means.

12. An amusement device comprising a target, a pistol having a bore for directing projectiles in a predetermined line of flight toward said target, said bore having a portion extending angularly downward from said line of ight, m'eans constructed and arranged to provide an inclined path `from said target to cause the projectiles fired at said target to automatically return to firing position in said bore, a projectile propelling means, a trigger normally ineffective to operate said propelling means, and a coin controlled means for making said trigger effective to continually operate said propelling means for a predetermined limited time period.

13. An amusement device comprising a target, a pistol having a bore for directing projectiles in a predetermined line of flight toward said target, said. bore having a portion extending -angularly downward fromsaid line of ight, means constructed and arranged to provide an inclined path from said target to cause the projectiles red at said target to automatically return to firing position in said bore, a projectile propelling means,

a trigger normally ineffective to operate said pro' pelling means, a coin controlled means for making said trigger effective to operate said propelling means, and means preventing a succeeding effective operation of said coin lcontrolled mechanism for a predetermined limited time period.

14. .In a target game of the character described the combination with a manually operable projector adapted to materially aiect a remote target through the space between said projector and target, and means for preventing the affecting of said target coin controlled mechanism for making said preventing means ineiective, of a. target capable of being affected by operation of said projector in accordance with the skill of the operator, a motor, means controlled by said motor for intermittently making said target inaccessible to said projector, a cumulative scoring means operable 'by said target in accordance with the aiecting of said target by the operation o f said vmeans controlled by said target when aected by said space 'charge to set up. cumulative scores during said time interval.

16. In an amusement device of the character described, the combination with a normally in- .operative pistol constructed and arranged to direct space charge an indeterminate number of times to aiect a target in accordance with the skill of the operator during a. predetermined limited time interval, of coin controlled means to make said pistol operative, means for limiting the time of pistol operation, automatic means vcontrolled by said target when aiected by said space charge to set -up cumulative numerical scores during said time interval, and automatically operable means to reset said scoring means at the terminatioi of said time interval.

Anvm DAms'moM. Pn'ma N. Iunison. 

